claude-task-master/README.md

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<b>Taskmaster</b>: A task management system for AI-driven development, designed to work seamlessly with any AI chat.
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## By [@eyaltoledano](https://x.com/eyaltoledano) & [@RalphEcom](https://x.com/RalphEcom)

[![Twitter Follow](https://img.shields.io/twitter/follow/eyaltoledano)](https://x.com/eyaltoledano)
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A task management system for AI-driven development with Claude, designed to work seamlessly with Cursor AI.

## Documentation

📚 **[View Full Documentation](https://docs.task-master.dev)**

For detailed guides, API references, and comprehensive examples, visit our documentation site.

### Quick Reference

The following documentation is also available in the `docs` directory:

- [Configuration Guide](docs/configuration.md) - Set up environment variables and customize Task Master
- [Tutorial](docs/tutorial.md) - Step-by-step guide to getting started with Task Master
- [Command Reference](docs/command-reference.md) - Complete list of all available commands
- [Task Structure](docs/task-structure.md) - Understanding the task format and features
- [Example Interactions](docs/examples.md) - Common Cursor AI interaction examples
- [Migration Guide](docs/migration-guide.md) - Guide to migrating to the new project structure

#### Quick Install for Cursor 1.0+ (One-Click)

[![Add task-master-ai MCP server to Cursor](https://cursor.com/deeplink/mcp-install-dark.svg)](https://cursor.com/en/install-mcp?name=task-master-ai&config=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%3D%3D)

> **Note:** After clicking the link, you'll still need to add your API keys to the configuration. The link installs the MCP server with placeholder keys that you'll need to replace with your actual API keys.

#### Claude Code Quick Install

For Claude Code users:

```bash
claude mcp add taskmaster-ai -- npx -y task-master-ai
```

Don't forget to add your API keys to the configuration:
- in the root .env of your Project
- in the "env" section of your mcp config for taskmaster-ai


## Requirements

Taskmaster utilizes AI across several commands, and those require a separate API key. You can use a variety of models from different AI providers provided you add your API keys. For example, if you want to use Claude 3.7, you'll need an Anthropic API key.

You can define 3 types of models to be used: the main model, the research model, and the fallback model (in case either the main or research fail). Whatever model you use, its provider API key must be present in either mcp.json or .env.

At least one (1) of the following is required:

- Anthropic API key (Claude API)
- OpenAI API key
- Google Gemini API key
- Perplexity API key (for research model)
- xAI API Key (for research or main model)
- OpenRouter API Key (for research or main model)
- Claude Code (no API key required - requires Claude Code CLI)
- Codex CLI (OAuth via ChatGPT subscription - requires Codex CLI)

Using the research model is optional but highly recommended. You will need at least ONE API key (unless using Claude Code or Codex CLI with OAuth). Adding all API keys enables you to seamlessly switch between model providers at will.

## Quick Start

### Option 1: MCP (Recommended)

MCP (Model Control Protocol) lets you run Task Master directly from your editor.

#### 1. Add your MCP config at the following path depending on your editor

| Editor       | Scope   | Linux/macOS Path                      | Windows Path                                      | Key          |
| ------------ | ------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------ |
| **Cursor**   | Global  | `~/.cursor/mcp.json`                  | `%USERPROFILE%\.cursor\mcp.json`                  | `mcpServers` |
|              | Project | `<project_folder>/.cursor/mcp.json`   | `<project_folder>\.cursor\mcp.json`               | `mcpServers` |
| **Windsurf** | Global  | `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` | `%USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json` | `mcpServers` |
| **VS Code**  | Project | `<project_folder>/.vscode/mcp.json`   | `<project_folder>\.vscode\mcp.json`               | `servers`    |
| **Q CLI**    | Global  | `~/.aws/amazonq/mcp.json`             |                                                   | `mcpServers` |

##### Manual Configuration

###### Cursor & Windsurf & Q Developer CLI (`mcpServers`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "task-master-ai": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "task-master-ai"],
      "env": {
        // "TASK_MASTER_TOOLS": "all", // Options: "all", "standard", "core", or comma-separated list of tools
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY_HERE",
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_PERPLEXITY_API_KEY_HERE",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_OPENAI_KEY_HERE",
        "GOOGLE_API_KEY": "YOUR_GOOGLE_KEY_HERE",
        "MISTRAL_API_KEY": "YOUR_MISTRAL_KEY_HERE",
        "GROQ_API_KEY": "YOUR_GROQ_KEY_HERE",
        "OPENROUTER_API_KEY": "YOUR_OPENROUTER_KEY_HERE",
        "XAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_XAI_KEY_HERE",
        "AZURE_OPENAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_AZURE_KEY_HERE",
        "OLLAMA_API_KEY": "YOUR_OLLAMA_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

> 🔑 Replace `YOUR_…_KEY_HERE` with your real API keys. You can remove keys you don't use.

> **Note**: If you see `0 tools enabled` in the MCP settings, restart your editor and check that your API keys are correctly configured.

###### VS Code (`servers` + `type`)

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "task-master-ai": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "task-master-ai"],
      "env": {
        // "TASK_MASTER_TOOLS": "all", // Options: "all", "standard", "core", or comma-separated list of tools
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY_HERE",
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_PERPLEXITY_API_KEY_HERE",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_OPENAI_KEY_HERE",
        "GOOGLE_API_KEY": "YOUR_GOOGLE_KEY_HERE",
        "MISTRAL_API_KEY": "YOUR_MISTRAL_KEY_HERE",
        "GROQ_API_KEY": "YOUR_GROQ_KEY_HERE",
        "OPENROUTER_API_KEY": "YOUR_OPENROUTER_KEY_HERE",
        "XAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_XAI_KEY_HERE",
        "AZURE_OPENAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_AZURE_KEY_HERE",
        "OLLAMA_API_KEY": "YOUR_OLLAMA_API_KEY_HERE"
      },
      "type": "stdio"
    }
  }
}
```

> 🔑 Replace `YOUR_…_KEY_HERE` with your real API keys. You can remove keys you don't use.

#### 2. (Cursor-only) Enable Taskmaster MCP

Open Cursor Settings (Ctrl+Shift+J) ➡ Click on MCP tab on the left ➡ Enable task-master-ai with the toggle

#### 3. (Optional) Configure the models you want to use

In your editor's AI chat pane, say:

```txt
Change the main, research and fallback models to <model_name>, <model_name> and <model_name> respectively.
```

For example, to use Claude Code (no API key required):
```txt
Change the main model to claude-code/sonnet
```

[Table of available models](docs/models.md) | [Claude Code setup](docs/examples/claude-code-usage.md)

#### 4. Initialize Task Master

In your editor's AI chat pane, say:

```txt
Initialize taskmaster-ai in my project
```

#### 5. Make sure you have a PRD (Recommended)

For **new projects**: Create your PRD at `.taskmaster/docs/prd.txt`.
For **existing projects**: You can use `scripts/prd.txt` or migrate with `task-master migrate`

An example PRD template is available after initialization in `.taskmaster/templates/example_prd.txt`.

> [!NOTE]
> While a PRD is recommended for complex projects, you can always create individual tasks by asking "Can you help me implement [description of what you want to do]?" in chat.

**Always start with a detailed PRD.**

The more detailed your PRD, the better the generated tasks will be.

#### 6. Common Commands

Use your AI assistant to:

- Parse requirements: `Can you parse my PRD at scripts/prd.txt?`
- Plan next step: `What's the next task I should work on?`
- Implement a task: `Can you help me implement task 3?`
- View multiple tasks: `Can you show me tasks 1, 3, and 5?`
- Expand a task: `Can you help me expand task 4?`
- **Research fresh information**: `Research the latest best practices for implementing JWT authentication with Node.js`
- **Research with context**: `Research React Query v5 migration strategies for our current API implementation in src/api.js`

[More examples on how to use Task Master in chat](docs/examples.md)

### Option 2: Using Command Line

#### Installation

```bash
# Install globally
npm install -g task-master-ai

# OR install locally within your project
npm install task-master-ai
```

#### Initialize a new project

```bash
# If installed globally
task-master init

# If installed locally
npx task-master init

# Initialize project with specific rules
task-master init --rules cursor,windsurf,vscode
```

This will prompt you for project details and set up a new project with the necessary files and structure.

#### Common Commands

```bash
# Initialize a new project
task-master init

# Parse a PRD and generate tasks
task-master parse-prd your-prd.txt

# List all tasks
task-master list

# Show the next task to work on
task-master next

# Show specific task(s) - supports comma-separated IDs
task-master show 1,3,5

# Research fresh information with project context
task-master research "What are the latest best practices for JWT authentication?"

# Move tasks between tags (cross-tag movement)
task-master move --from=5 --from-tag=backlog --to-tag=in-progress
task-master move --from=5,6,7 --from-tag=backlog --to-tag=done --with-dependencies
task-master move --from=5 --from-tag=backlog --to-tag=in-progress --ignore-dependencies

# Generate task files
task-master generate

# Add rules after initialization
task-master rules add windsurf,roo,vscode
```

## Tool Loading Configuration

### Optimizing MCP Tool Loading

Task Master's MCP server supports selective tool loading to reduce context window usage. By default, all 36 tools are loaded (~21,000 tokens) to maintain backward compatibility with existing installations.

You can optimize performance by configuring the `TASK_MASTER_TOOLS` environment variable:

### Available Modes

| Mode | Tools | Context Usage | Use Case |
|------|-------|--------------|----------|
| `all` (default) | 36 | ~21,000 tokens | Complete feature set - all tools available |
| `standard` | 15 | ~10,000 tokens | Common task management operations |
| `core` (or `lean`) | 7 | ~5,000 tokens | Essential daily development workflow |
| `custom` | Variable | Variable | Comma-separated list of specific tools |

### Configuration Methods

#### Method 1: Environment Variable in MCP Configuration

Add `TASK_MASTER_TOOLS` to your MCP configuration file's `env` section:

```jsonc
{
  "mcpServers": {  // or "servers" for VS Code
    "task-master-ai": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "--package=task-master-ai", "task-master-ai"],
      "env": {
        "TASK_MASTER_TOOLS": "standard",  // Options: "all", "standard", "core", "lean", or comma-separated list
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "your-key-here",
        // ... other API keys
      }
    }
  }
}
```

#### Method 2: Claude Code CLI (One-Time Setup)

For Claude Code users, you can set the mode during installation:

```bash
# Core mode example (~70% token reduction)
claude mcp add task-master-ai --scope user \
  --env TASK_MASTER_TOOLS="core" \
  -- npx -y task-master-ai@latest

# Custom tools example
claude mcp add task-master-ai --scope user \
  --env TASK_MASTER_TOOLS="get_tasks,next_task,set_task_status" \
  -- npx -y task-master-ai@latest
```

### Tool Sets Details

**Core Tools (7):** `get_tasks`, `next_task`, `get_task`, `set_task_status`, `update_subtask`, `parse_prd`, `expand_task`

**Standard Tools (15):** All core tools plus `initialize_project`, `analyze_project_complexity`, `expand_all`, `add_subtask`, `remove_task`, `generate`, `add_task`, `complexity_report`

**All Tools (36):** Complete set including project setup, task management, analysis, dependencies, tags, research, and more

### Recommendations

- **New users**: Start with `"standard"` mode for a good balance
- **Large projects**: Use `"core"` mode to minimize token usage
- **Complex workflows**: Use `"all"` mode or custom selection
- **Backward compatibility**: If not specified, defaults to `"all"` mode

## Claude Code Support

Task Master now supports Claude models through the Claude Code CLI, which requires no API key:

- **Models**: `claude-code/opus` and `claude-code/sonnet`
- **Requirements**: Claude Code CLI installed
- **Benefits**: No API key needed, uses your local Claude instance

[Learn more about Claude Code setup](docs/examples/claude-code-usage.md)

## Troubleshooting

### If `task-master init` doesn't respond

Try running it with Node directly:

```bash
node node_modules/claude-task-master/scripts/init.js
```

Or clone the repository and run:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master.git
cd claude-task-master
node scripts/init.js
```

## Join Our Team

<a href="https://tryhamster.com" target="_blank">
  <img src="./images/hamster-hiring.png" alt="Join Hamster's founding team" />
</a>

## Contributors

<a href="https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/graphs/contributors">
  <img src="https://contrib.rocks/image?repo=eyaltoledano/claude-task-master" alt="Task Master project contributors" />
</a>

## Star History

[![Star History Chart](https://api.star-history.com/svg?repos=eyaltoledano/claude-task-master&type=Timeline)](https://www.star-history.com/#eyaltoledano/claude-task-master&Timeline)

## Licensing

Task Master is licensed under the MIT License with Commons Clause. This means you can:

✅ **Allowed**:

- Use Task Master for any purpose (personal, commercial, academic)
- Modify the code
- Distribute copies
- Create and sell products built using Task Master

❌ **Not Allowed**:

- Sell Task Master itself
- Offer Task Master as a hosted service
- Create competing products based on Task Master

See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for the complete license text and [licensing details](docs/licensing.md) for more information.